In the role of the Program Manager, FORT.Academy the person shall report to the CEO, Forge and engage in a scope of work spanning techno-managerial, financial, operational and administrative aspects relating to the broad Key Result Areas (KRAs) covering program management & operations of various offerings, Training services, Innovation Project Management services for MSMEs & Startups, Partner/Client Stakeholder Management & Ecosystem Connect, and General Administration.

FORT.Academy shall partner with various knowledge/capability partners, higher technical institutions and Industry partners (MSMEs and Startups) to implement the Innovation Practicum for Technical Education and Manufacturing Technology Practicum as an adjunct process to the academic curriculum, and as the consolidated process for all innovation centered initiatives, policies and programs at a national scale.

The Program

Manager is the operational lead for the MTP(Manufacturing Technology Practicum), requiring a high degree of organisational skill, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the program's practical components. The role is a blend of administration, coordination, and participant-facing support, ensuring that all program activities run smoothly and effectively.

Introduction: FORT.Academy within Forge Innovation & Ventures

Forge Innovation & Ventures operates as a vertically integrated enterprise, fundamentally committed to establishing and managing a national-scale Open Innovation Value Network. The core objective of this network is to catalyse talent, technology, and ventures, thereby powering India's innovation economy in the Industrial Intelligence Age. The strategic framework of the organisation is meticulously structured around six Strategic Program Verticals (SPVs), each aligned with one of three core thrust areas: Talent, Technology, and Ventures.

Forge.Academy is positioned as a core Strategic Program Vertical (SPV) under Forge's overarching "Talent" thrust area. Its primary function is to cultivate an innovation-capable industrial workforce and entrepreneurial talent pool achieved through a comprehensive portfolio of university-accredited/affiliated graduate education programs and professional development courses focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.

FORT.Academy accelerates the convergence of industrial manufacturing with cutting-edge technology, serving as the framework under which the Innovation Practicum for Technical Education and Manufacturing Technology Practicum for Industrial Workforce are implemented.

Innovation

Practicum for Technical Education is a unique program designed to redefine the role of an engineer by equipping students with a potent blend of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to tackle contemporary industry challenges.

Manufacturing Technology

Practicum operationalises the Manufacturing Technology Practicum as the cornerstone of the Career Advancement & Capability Development (CACD) program, providing a structured pathway for the industrial workforce to evolve from being passive technology users to becoming active innovators, strategists, and leaders.





Position & Designation

Grade - Manager or Sr. Manager The Program Manager to be designated in Forge at the grade of Manager or Sr.Manager shall be considered for a promotion to the role of Business Manager after having delivered a commendable performance in the stated role for a minimum tenure of 24 months.

Compensation

Forge compensation is at par with the top end of the social enterprises sector in India and continuously benchmarked to be above the average compensation offered in the social (non-commercial or development) sector in general but significantly above the average compensation offered by TBIs. The Total CTC will include 3 major components namely, Fixed Monthly Gross, Fixed Quarterly Payout, and Annual Development Bonus (linked to demonstration of progress on developing and strengthening capabilities in alignment with the Career Advancement and Capabilities Development framework of Forge).

Role & Responsibilities - Key Result Areas

1. Program Delivery & Operational Excellence

- Lead the end-to-end execution of the MTP and all innovation programs, encompassing comprehensive logistical orchestration from inception to completion.
- Create and manage detailed course schedules while coordinating seamlessly with faculty, coaches, and external partners to guarantee timely availability of all facilities and resources.
- Ensure robust support for hands-on lab sessions, practical exercises, and innovation projects, thereby elevating the quality of participant learning experiences and driving operational excellence
- Maintain a high degree of operational excellence directly correlates with participant satisfaction and successful learning outcomes.

2.Commercialisation, Revenue Scaling & Innovation Leadership

- Support CEO and CPO Fort.Academy is actively prospecting, seeding, and nurturing opportunities for commercializing various knowledge products developed, standardized, and monetized under innovation programs.
- Support the CEO and CPO Fort.Academy, Fort.Academy to manage execution of initiatives or lead certain ones for scaling revenue generation from beneficiaries including industrial companies (corporates & MSMEs), academia, industry professionals, and startups.
- Lead innovation skills training and competencies development programs, managing design, delivery, admissions, curriculum alignment, and operational aspects for future-ready talent.
- Lead innovation projects and services, overseeing product innovations, structured processes, stakeholder management, trainee coaching, and outcome monitoring.

3.Participant Success & Support

- Drive participant journeys from initial enrollment through career advancement,



serving as the primary conduit for academic guidance while meticulously tracking progress against defined learning outcomes.
- Oversee comprehensive onboarding processes, infuse the human touch into addressing career goals, and nurture future-ready talent in harmony with industrial digital transformation imperatives.innovation practicum got industrial innovation
- Act as a career advancement coach and innovation mentor for diverse trainees - including students and professionals delivering personalized support on seamless program transitions, such as from GEC Level III to PGDTM, informed by individual performance and aspirations.
- Play a deeply personal role in guiding trainees through innovation lifecycles from challenge curation and solution exploration to product concept development and MUP design ensuring the tiered program structure empowers strategic missions with vital support.

4.Educational Infrastructure & Resource Management

- Manage the allocation, maintenance, and optimal utilization of all educational resources essential for the MTP and innovation programs.
- Ensure availability of lab equipment, software licenses for tools like CAD/CAM or PLC programming, classroom spaces, and inventory of consumables for uninterrupted hands-on learning.
- Develop and manage necessary systems, processes, and tools to facilitate seamless knowledge sharing, program facilitation, and resource efficiency across physical, digital, and hybrid formats.
- Maintain all resources in prime working condition while working across Forge centers to support practice-based, innovation-centric learning models.

5.Team Staffing, Training & Stakeholder Representation

- Staff, train, and manage a team of competent program leads and program associates apart from playing the role of the authorised representative of the company’s CEO to all external stakeholders in the respective program ecosystem.
- Foster internal and external stakeholder communication for streamlined project completion and ecosystem engagement.

6.Performance Monitoring & Reporting

- Diligently collect, analyse, and report on a broad set of key performance indicators (KPIs) spanning program effectiveness, participant enrollment, completion rates, satisfaction scores, and innovation outcomes.
- Gather feedback on courses, faculty performance, and specific initiatives, consolidating data for the Program Director to fuel strategic decisions and continuous improvements.
- Monitor and report product innovation impacts, ensuring timely deployment of projects while demonstrating program value through meticulous metrics.

7.Program Operations, MarComm & Ecosystem Engagement

- Lead/support the effective planning and implementation of events, conferences, visits, startup demos, ecosystem meetups, and other forms of physical, digital or hybrid events required towards creating a robust pipeline of talent and industry partners for the various innovation programs implemented by Fort.Academy
- Anchor the implementation of various activities and deliverables coming under the purview of Marketing Communications relating to outreach campaigns, event collateral, social media promotions etc.

📌 Academic Program & Innovation Manager, FORT.Academy (Hosur)
🏢 forge innovation u0026 ventures
📍 Hosur